I suggest using dual-boot for non-corporate systems. This is because most people will need to use Windows 9x at some point, even if it's just to play Quake.

I suggest installing Windows 2000 to a separate partition. This is for several reasons:

it's simpler to understand

it's simpler to work with

it allows the use of specialised filesystems

If all the space on the target drive is already allocated to existing partitions, the drive will need to be repartitioned. This may involve reinstalling the existing operating system(s) and/or reformatting existing filesystems. For this reason, it is wise to consider carefully before partitioning a drive.

To install Win2k in dual-boot, first install Windows 9x, also to its own partition. I suggest using a 2Gb VFAT partition for this purpose. Ensure to leave at least 2Gb unallocated - this is for Win2k. Leave another 2Gb for a FAT partition - use this for data. Allocate the rest as appropriate.

once the Win9x installation is stable, insert the Win2k CD and allow it to autostart

answer NO to the question ‘upgrade to Win2k’ (YES will upgrade your existing Win9x installation)

enter the size of the partition you wish to allocate to Win2k and press Enter

using the arrow keys, select the entry 'New (Unformatted)'

press Enter

select a file system (NTFS recommended) and press Enter to begin formatting the partition

Once Setup completes, dual-boot installation is complete.

To edit the default operating system and timeout at the OS loader screen:

boot into Win2k - log in as Administrator

right-click My Computer

click Properties, Advanced, Startup and Recovery

select operating system from drop-down list

adjust timeout

click OK

uninstalling Windows 2000 dual-boot

Delete the NTFS partition using FDISK (bundled with Windows9x):

boot into Win9x

click Start.. Run..

type FDISK and press Enter

press N, Enter - don't enable large disk support

press N, Enter - don't treat NTFS partitions as large

press 5 to select a drive if appropriate (this option will not appear if you have one drive only)

press 3, Enter - delete partition

press 4, Enter - non-DOS partition

select the appropriate NTFS partition to delete, press the corresponding number key, Enter

confirm your intentions by pressing Y, Enter

press Esc three times to exit FDISK

reboot, for changes to take effect

The space will now be available for repartitioning. This method does not remove the OS loader (selecting Win2k causes an error and a hang) - to overcome this, edit the file C:\BOOT.INI, which controls the OS loader, using Notepad from within Win9x:

boot into Win9x

click Start.. Run..

type NOTEPAD C:\BOOT.INI and press Enter

change the timeout line to read timeout=0

close the file, saving changes

This will cause the computer to boot straight to Win9x without pausing at the OS loader screen.